Kinnelon police kill bear that had broken into home

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerIn a 2006 file photo, a black bear wanders through the side yard of a home located on Brook Valley Road in Kinnelon.KINNELON — A 250-pound male bear broke into a Thornwood Drive home’s kitchen on Friday before it was scared out and later killed by authorities when it did not go away, police said.

Kinnelon Lt. John Schwartz said the homeowner called 9-1-1 around 4:48 p.m. after her college-aged daughter told her that the bear broke through the kitchen screen door of their home. The homeowner was away at the time, Schwartz said.

The bear soon raided the kitchen and ate the food found in the pantry and shelves, Schwartz said. Meanwhile, the daughter, unnamed by police, had locked herself in the laundry room, Schwartz said.

Police arrived in about five minutes, Schwartz said, and Detective Patrick McDonnell and Sgts. Christopher Burns and David Crouthamel scared the animal out of the house.

Schwartz said the bear returned within minutes, however, and police had to shoot it because it had entered a home and did not appear to fear people.

The animal was removed by Bloomingdale Animal Control and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officials, Schwartz said.